Shafie says ‘willing to die’ than to hand over power

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal said he was ‘willing to die’ than to hand over the power to the opposition.

The caretaker chief minister said he had been criticized for putting the public health at risk for dissolving the State Legislative Assembly in order for a snap election to be held.

“I am willing to die than for us to hand over the power to them in such a way,” he said.

He was referring to numerous defections in the political coup a empt led by former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman to topple the Warisan-led state government.

He said the snap election could have been avoided if it weren’t for the actions of the opposition.

Nevertheless, he urged the people to abide by the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Election Commission (EC) and Sabah Covid-19 Command Centre.

Shafie added that he anticipated a lower turnout at the snap polls due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said the party would work on ge ing voters to turn up as well as asked Sabahans working in Peninsular Malaysia to return for the state election.

Warisan Keningau division chief Datuk Jake Nointin, who was also at the press conference, dismissed claims that he had le the party.